Starting apparatus for airplane engines and the like



v I. BIJUR. STARTING APPARATUS FOR AIRPIJ'ANE ENGINES AIIID THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25, I918.

2 I a 2. W All M n 9 R. Am Q 6 MW 2 E IL w A fl J S M i 8 n B m P IMJ 1. BIJUR. A STARTING APPARATUS FOR AIRPLANE ENGINES AND THE LIKE.

. APPLICATION FILED MARQZS. 19l8. 1,429,670. v

Patented Sept. 19,1922].

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

will be exemplified in the construction here-- Patented Sept. 19, 1922.

UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

JOSEPH BIJ'UB, OF NEW YORK, N. Y'., ASSIGNOR, BY MFSNE ASSIGNMENTS, 'IO BIJUB MOTOR APPLIANCE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

STARTING APPARATUS FOR AIRPLANE,.ENGINES AND THE LIKE.

Application filed March 25, 1918. Serial No. 224,494.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH zen of the United States, and a resident of the borough of Manhattan, in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Starting Apparatus for-Airplane Engines and the like, of which the following is a specification.

4 This invention relates to starting apparatus for engines-incapable of starting under their ownpower, and with regard to the more specific features thereof to apparatus for startin aircraft engines.

One of t e objects of this invention is to provide compact and easily operated means for starting a source of power.

Another object is to provide means of the above type of relatively light and durable construction, which shall be easy of application to types of airplane engines even though not designed for a starter.

Another object is to provide means of the above type which shall be convenient in control, reliable in operation and whose action is automatic.

Another object is to provide means of the above type which shall not interfere with the running operation of the engine.

7 Other objects will be in part obvious and in art' pointed out hereinafter.

he invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements" and arrangement of parts which inafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the fol-' lowing claims.

shown one of varlous possible embodiments of the several features of this invention, Fig.

1 is a side view of-an airplane engine showing my starter applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end view of the engine with the starterin place.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentaryasectional view of- Fig. 2 showingthe method of mounting the gear ring.

Fig. 4 is a view in central longitudinalcross-section of my starter unit in inoperative position.

Snnilar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views of V the drawings.

Referring now to 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown the general outline,

BIJUR, a citi- -3 secured thereto.

12 centering said ring over the rim of re 7, taining member 7. The same bolts 8 with details not being indicated, of an airplane engine 1, having a crankcase consisting of a main or top portion 2 and a bottom portion The engine cylinders 4 are shown resting on a substantiall horizontal portion 5 of the crankcase. ounted preferably directly on an extension of the crankshaft, there is a propeller 6 of any desired type only a fragment of which is shown on the drawings. This propeller is preferably secured between retaining plates 7 by bolts 8 extending through said propeller and connecting said retaining plates. The

retaining plates are driven from the crankshaft preferably by a splined hub 9, fixed to the crankshaft, so that in operation, the splined hub 9 drives the retaining plates through its splines and the retaining plates through bolts 8, drive the propeller 6. The airplane engine partially described above is of thegeneral type of the Liberty motor em- 1 ployed .by the United States in the World war, a type of engine not designed for an electric starter.

By my invention, I have provided this engine with a practical and efficient starter and haveachieved this result without modifying the construction of the engine in any detail.

, For the purpose of applying the power of a starter to an airplane engine, I have provided a specially designed disk member or gear ring 10, which I place in. driving relation to the crankshaftpreferably by securing to 'the ropeller in the following manner z-Referrlng to Flgs. 1 to 3, the gear ring 10 is preferably made of thin and very strong metal, its rim 11 being wider than its In the accompanying drawings wherein is body as clearly shown in -Fig. 3. This ring is preferably provided with an integral pilot which the engine is originally provided are preferably employed to secure said gear ringv to said metallic retaining member and said propeller. As shown in Fig. 2, the gear ring 1 is slightly larger in diameter than the propeller width at the hub.

I provide a starting unit for co-operation with said gear ring to crank said engine and preferably form said unit and apply it 1 to the engine so that none of its parts extend beyond the plane of the gear ring 10, this in order to avoid any possible interference with a running propeller of the form in use. The starter pre era.

1y comprises an electric '1 0 motor 13 disposed between the gear ring 10 and the crankcase with its axis parallel to that of the crankshaft, said motor being preferably secured to a flat surface on the top of the crankcase by lugs .14 formed integrally with end head 15 of the motor, said lugs being secured to said engine by bolts 16, which bolts constitute a part of the regular construction of the engine. Formed integrally with the other end head 17 of the motor 13, there is a transmission housing 18 formed referably with two legs 19, said legs resting preferably on crankshaft hearing lugs 20, which lugs are a part of the engine and the same bolts 21 which pass through lugs 20 to secure the crankshaft bearing in place are now made to serve the additional function of securing legs 19 of the starter unit to the engine. For the purpose of strengthening the construction, bolts 7 5 preferably connect endheads 15 and 17, some of said bolts being best shown in their entirety in Fig. 1 and also indicated in Fig. 4.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the detailed construction of the starter unit is as follows: End head 17 of motor 13 above referred to is preferably made of aluminum cast as an integral piece with transmission housing 18 which bears integral legs 19. This housing preferably has a relatively large opening with a shoulder 24 and ball-bearing 2O fits within said opening resting against said shoulder and against a nut 79 threaded on the inner end of hub 26. A relatively large gear 21 has a hub portion 26 fitting within the ball-bearing, the inner face of said gear resting against the side of said bearing opposite shoulder 24. Motor-pinion 22 is preferably formed on the extended end. of motor shaft 23, and coacts with gear 21. The pinion, the gear and the ball-bearing, as shown, fit within the transmission housing 18 and are enclosed therein by a cover 27 preferably provided with stiffening ribs 28. The motor 13, through the gears thus far described, preferably operates to transmit a cranking torque to pinion 29 when said pinion is in mesh with gear ring 10.

I preferably employ a transmission of the automatic type, that is, one in which the motor not only cranks the engine when once the gears are meshed, but previously by virtue of its own operation automatically brings about such meshing. This result is preferably brought about by means of a drum or barrel 33 driven by the motor through the pinion 22 on the motor shaft and the gear 21 operatively connected to one end of the drum, a member 47 shown in the form of a nut contained within the drum and operatively connected thereto, and the driving member or pinion 29 normally contained within the drum at the end thereof to which the gear 21 is connected and oper- 'atively connected to the member 47 for longitudinal movement relative thereof and rotarymovement therewith. The longitudinal movement of the driving member. relative to the member 47 is obtained by providing screw threads 41 on a transmission member or shaft 36 shown as concentric with the drum 33. and on the end of which the driving member 29 is mounted, the screw threads 41 cooperating with screw'threads on the interior of nut 47, whereupon at the starting of the motor the nut 47 through the member 36 urges the driving member into mesh with the engine driven member or gear 10. A more detailed description of the arrangement of this screw shaft transmission follows.

Cast integrally with aluminum end head 15 and below said end head in Fig. 4, there is an extension 30, having an integral hub 31, and a longitudinal opening 32 extending through said extension and hub. Fitting over hub 31 there is a second ball-bearing 20 whose axis is in alignment with that of ballbearing 20. A motor driven member in the form of a barrel 33 fits over ball-bearing 20 and is prevented thereby from moving longitudinally. This barrel is of hardened metal and has a reduced portion 34 extending centrally through hub 26 of gear 21. there being preferably a Splined connection 35 between said hub 26 and said extension 34. An annular member 76 is preferably threaded over the extreme end of reduced portion 34 of the barrel and a second annular member 80 is secured to the inner face of housing 18, and encircles part 34, said members aiding to maintain gear 21 in proper relation toits coacting parts.

Extending within longitudinal opening 32, through barrel 33 and into its reduced extension 34. there is a shaft or transmission member 36. This shaft is preferably lodged near one end within a bearing 37 in the hub 31. Near the other end, said shaft 36 is formed of larger diameter as shown at 37; and preferably carries a bronze bearing 38 secured thereto, as shown at 39, said bronze bearing fittingsnugly in the smooth interior of reduced portion 34 of the barrel. At the extreme end of shaft 36, pinion 29 is preferably formed as an integral part thereof, as shown, and is slightly smaller in diameter than the opening of portion 34 of the barrel to leave a slight clearance 40. An intermediate portion of said shaft 36 is threaded as shown at 41 and said threaded portion is preferably connected to be operated from said barrel 33, as follows:

The interior of barrel 33 is preferably formed with splines 42 cooperating with integral lugs 43 on a clutch plate 44 to which is attached, as described in greater detail below, one face of aclutch washer 45 made Ill and at the other against. a metallic annulus 49 which is retained in place by an internal nut 50 threaded into the barrel, as shown at 51. i

The clutch washer 45 is preferably formed of a composition of'finely pulverized cork made to cohere by the use of a binder and the application of high pressure. A breaker strip 52 of canvas is preferably employed in the making of this cork washer, so that said strip is formed as a unitary part of said washer in the interior thereof, this breaker strip increasing the life of the washer as is readily understood.

The. clutch plate and clutchwasher are preferably secured together by the use of an annular member 53 of sheet metal having struck-up openings 54 on one face of said washer, the struck-up metal around the edges of said openings fitting within registering depression or openings in the clutch plate. The annular member 53 is in turn attached to the clutch washer 45 by struck-up tangs 56, extending preferably radially of said member, said tangs penetrating into said washer. For simplicity of illustration, a tank 56 by which the sheet metal member is attached to the washer is shown in radial alignment with a struck-up portion, by which said member is attached to the clutch plate. For the purpose of making a strong connection, it is preferable to form the tang and the struck-up portion out of radial alignment. Other materials for the clutch washer, and other attaching means for said washer than that described may be employed to advantage, but it is to be understood that there are special beneextending substantially in the direction of the shaft and having an annular surface 61, generall similar to surface 58 on the stop nut. topv member 59 is prevented from moving away from stop nut 57 by its abutment against the extremity ofthreaded portion 41. l 1 I On the face of nut flange 46, opposite that already considered, I preferably form a second clutch member of substantially constant torque. This clutch member consists of an annular plate 62 encircling the hub of the nut and splined to the barrel in a manner similar to clutch plate 44, as shown at 77. Annular spring member 63 presses said plate against said nut by the action of a collar ,64 held in place by a split ring 65 disposedin a groove 66 in nut 47. The plate 62 is preferably provided with an integral back stop ring 76 adapted to abut against a part of the barrel construction as shown. means may be provided for connecting the barrel to drive the threaded shaft, but there are special benefits inherent in the use of the specific construction shown and de-' scribed.

Encircling the end of shaft 36, opposite pinion 29, I preferably employ arelatively light coil spring 67, one end of which presses against bearing 37, and the other end against a metallic Washer 68 secured to the end -of the shaft by a screw 69, threaded within a bore 70 extending for a substantial It is to be understood that other.

part of the length of the shaft, the latter expedient to effect li htness of wei ht. A similar and smaller ore 71 exten s from the pinion end of the shaft, said bore being closed by a light threaded plug 72, and serves as a reservoir for lubricant, which is led to the bearing 38 by a duct 78.

A sheet metal cover 73 is preferably secured to extension 30 by a screw 74 to close opening 32 for purposes of protection.

The operation of the above described embodiment of this invention is substantially as follows Assuming that it be desired to start the with a starting battery (not shown). The

motor then begins to turn and transmits its torque by way of motor-pinion 22 which turns gear 21, the splined hub- 26 of which causes rotation of barrel 33. Clutch plate 44 being splined to said barrel will turn with it together with its attached clutch washer 45, and in view, of the intimate contact between said washer and nut 47 resulting from the action of spring 48, nut 47 will turn. Shaft 36 loosely threaded within the nut will, in view of its inertia, fail to turn with said nut, and will therefore be constrained by the turning of said nut to move longi-- tudinally therethrough, causing the Washer 68 to compress spring 67 and pinion 29-to move into mesh with gear ring 10. As the shaft moves longitudinally forward, stop nut 57 is carried along, as is stop 60, and after meshin begins the surface 61 will be in contact with clutch plate 44. The shaft will continue to move longitudinally to wards full meshing position until surface 61 has placed enough pressure on clutch plate 44 and through it on the clutch surface as to impart sufiicient torque to the pinion to crank the engine.

After the engine has thus been cranked by the motor and starts on its own power, rapid' turning of the gear ring 10 will cause pinion 29 and its associated shaft 36 to turn at a speed greater than that of the nut so that the threads 41 on the shaft will overrun the nut and cause the shaft with its pinion to move back into the original position shown in Fig. 4, out of mesh with the gear ring, the expansion of light spring 67 contributing slightly to this result.

In the operation of starters of the type disclosed, it sometimes happens in the process of starting that teeth of the pinion 29 will meet teeth of the gear ring 10, end to end, instead of meshing between them, In this case, further longitudinal movement of shaft 36 is, of course prevented and as nut 47 continuing to turn by the operation of the motor cannot move the shaft forward towards meshing position, it follows that the nut itself must move backwards or to the right in Fig. 4 along the threaded portion 41, pushing the clutch member along. The clutch plate 44 movin along splines 42 compresses spring 48. .ut 47 will thus travel towards the right along threaded por tion 41 until spring 48 is compressed to such an extent as to substantially lock the nut on to the threaded portion 41, at which time the shaft will, of course, be compelled to rotate with the barrel and the nut. A slight rotation of the shaft thus brought about will bring the pinion teeth into proper alignment with those of the gear ring whereupon spring 48 will expandpushing the pinion into full mesh with the gear ring 10 by exerting its pressure, by way of clutch plate 44, clutch washer 45, nut 47, threaded portion 41 and pinion 29.

In case of butting of teeth, the range of movement of the clutch plate and the consequent compression of spring 48 to effect locking of the pinion to the shaft will obviously vary with the severity of the butt. In the most severe cases of buttin clutch plate 44 may be pushed into actua contact with surface 61 on stop member 59, tightening the clutch to an extent of very great magnitude and so tightly locking the nut to the shaft as to assure a rotation of the shaft and pinion, whereupon the compressed spring 48 will urge the pinion into full mesh in a manner similar to that described above. After butting has thus been relieved and the pinion brought into mesh with the gear ring, cranking and subsequent demeshing proceed in the manner described above.

If only the elements of the construction referred to in the above account of the operation were employed, it might sometimes happen in case of butting of teeth that spring 48 does not place sufficient torque on the clutch to prevent slipping thereof at some part of its longitudinal travel. Such slipping, as is obvious, would involve a rotation of clutch washer 45 on nut flange 46, so that the nut would not turn and the shaft 36 with its pinion 29 would not be turned to move the pinion out of butt with the gear ring 10. To avoid this possibility, I have provided the constant torque clutch above described, and shown at 62. The torque on this clutch, as is obvious, is additive in effect to that under control of spring 48. The constant torque clutch 62 is set at a torque so high that with the assistance of the other clutch it compels the nut to turn under even the most severe conditions of operation.

When the engine is operating its vibration and occasional deviation from the horizontal, more particularly in airplanes, might in the absence of special precautions cause shaft 36 with its pinion to creep forward towards the gear ring 10 reaching this rapidly turning element and being repeatedly struck thereby with objectionable results. Spring 67 by pressing against washer 68 keeps the shaft 36 in its inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 4, regardless of the inclination or vibration of the machine.

Although the starter unit shown in Fig. 4 and described above is more particularly applicable to an engine of'the type shown in Fig. 1, it is to be understood that many of the features of this starter are of general application to other types of engine, incapable of starting by their own power and such features are applicable whether such engines be used for propulsion of aircraft, automobiles, motor boats or for purposes other than transportation.

It is, also, to be understood that mounting arrangements other than that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing for applying a starter involving features of my invention may be employed to advantage, but there are particular benefits in the specific arrangement shown and described.

It will thus be seen that there is herein described apparatus in which the several features of this invention are embodied, and which apparatus in its action attains the various objects of the invention and is well suited to meet the requirements of practical use.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made Without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an engine starting unit, in combination, a motor, a drum driven therefrom, a member contained-within said drum and operatively connected thereto, a driving member normally contained within said drum and operatively connected to said first mentioned member for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith.

2. In an engine starting unit, in combination, a motor, a pinion on the motor shaft, a drum, a gear operatively connected to one end of said drum and. meshing with said pinion,,.a member contained within said drum and operatively connected thereto, a driving member normally contained within said drum and operatively connected to said first mentioned member for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith.

3. In an engine startingunit,in combination, an engine driven member, a motor, a

drum driven therefrom, a screw threaded member contained within said drum and concentric therewith, a driving member, and a nut on said screw threaded member, said driving member being operatively connected to said nut through said screw threaded member whereupon at the starting of said motor said nut urges said driving member into mesh with said engine driven member.

4. In an engine starting unit, in combination, an engine driven member, a motor, a pinion on the motor shaft, a drum, a gear operatively connected, to one end of said drum and meshing with said pinion, a screw threaded member contained within said drum and concentric therewith, a driving member, and a nut on said screw threaded member, said driving member being operatively connected to said nut through said screw threaded memberwhereupon at the starting of said motor said nut urges said driving member into mesh with said engine driven member.

5. In an engine starting unit, in combination, an engine driven member, a motor, a drum driven therefrom, a screw threaded member contained within said drumand concentric therewith, a driving member normally contained within said drum, and a nut on said screw threaded member, said driving member being operatively connected to said nut through said screw threaded member whereupon at the starting of said motor said nut urges said driving member into mesh with said engine driven member.

6. In an engine starting unit, in combination, an engine driven member, a motor, a pinion on the motor shaft, a drain, a gear operatively connected to one end of said drum and meshing with said pinion, a screw threaded member contained within said drum and concentric therewith, a driving -member normally contained within sai ,pinion, a member contained within said drum and operatively connected thereto, a driving member normally contained within said drum at said end thereof to which said gear is connected and operatively connected to said first mentioned member for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith.

8. In an engine starting unit, in combination, an engine driven member, a motor, a pinion on the motor shaft, a drum, a gear operatively connected to one end of said drum and meshing with-said pinion, a screw threaded member contained within said drum and concentric therewith, a driving member normally contained, within said drum at said end thereof to which said gear is connected, and a nut on said screw threaded member, said driving member being operatively connected to said nut through said screw threaded member whereupon at the starting of said motor said nut urges said driving member into mesh with said engine driven member.

9. In an aeronautic engine in combination, a crankcase, a crankshaft, a propeller and an auxiliary gear wheel mounted in driving relation to said crankshaft, said gear wheel being disposed between said propeller and said crankcase and a starting motor having a driving part adapted to cooperate with said gear wheel and mounted on said crankcase,

10. In an aeronautic engine, in combination a crank shaft, a propeller, driven from one portion of the crankshaft, a metallic 'power transmitting member secured to said propeller, and a starter unit rigidly mounted with respect to said engine, for transmitting power to said metallic member.

11. In an aeronautic engine, in combina tion a crank shaft, a propeller driven from one portion of the crankshaft, metallic retaining members on each side of said propeller, a geared ring adjacent one of said retaining members and means for securing said ared ring and said retaining members to sa1d propeller.

12. In an aeronautic engine, in combina tion a crank shaft, a propeller rigidly mounted on one portion ofthe crankshaft, a metallic substantially circular retaining member on each side of said propeller,'a

geared ring, a pilot centering'said ring on one of said retaining members, and bolts extending through said geared ring, said retaining members and said propeller, and securingsaid members together.

13. In an engine starter, in combination, a driven member connected with an engine, a driving member adapted to cooperate with and drive the other member but normally out of engagement therewith, a motor, a transmission member adapted to be driven therefrom, havin a bearing near one end and carrying sai driving member near the other, a support near said latter end, the entity of said transmission member and said driving member carrying a bearing part fitting within said support.

14. In an aeronautic engine, in combination, a crankshaft, a crankcase, an auxiliary gear wheel ri idly secured with respect to said crankshaIt, a starter unit mounted on said crankcase, and adapted to coact with said gear wheel for cranking and substantially vertically extending members for securin said unit to said crankcase.

15. 11 an aeronautic engine, in combination, a crankcase, crankshaft bearings, vertically extending bolts securing the bottom of said crankcase to the body thereof, bolts securing said crankshaft bearings in position, a starter for said engine, some of said bolts also securing said starter in position.

16. In an internal combustion engine, in combination, a crankcase, a crankshaft bearing therein, said crankcase having an enginecylinder supporting surface, a starter unit having a portion secured to said cylinder supporting surface, and a second portion resting substantially symmetrically on the portion of the crankcase enclosing said bearing, and unitary securing means on each side of said bearing, contributing to the following results: securing said starter to said crankcase, securing the parts of said crankcase together, and holding said bearing in position.

17. In an internal combustionengine, in combination, a crankcase, a crankshaft end bearing therein, said crankcase having an engine-cylinder supporting surface, a starter unit having a lug resting on said cylinder supporting surface, a bolt constituting a part of said engine for also securing said lug to said crankcase, and means for also securing said starter to a part of said crankcase adj acent saidend bearing.

18. In an internal combustion engine, in combination, a crankcase, a crankshaft end bearing therein, a starter having lugs substantially symmetrically disposed 'on said engine, bolts constituting a part of the construction of said engine, for also securing said lugs thereto, legs .on said starter, substant-ially symmetrically disposed on the portion of the crankcase enclosing said bearing and bolts constituting a part of the construction of said engine for also securing said legs in position.

19. In an aeronautic engine, in combination, a crankcase, a crankshaft, a cylinder supporting surface on said crankcase, a propeller connected with one end of said crankshaft, a geared ring fixed with respect to said crankshaft on the side of said propeller adjacent said engine and a starter unit adapted to cooperate with said geared ring, disposed between said cylinder supporting surface and said geared ring, said unit ineludin a motor and a transmission.

20. In an aeronautic engine, in combination, a crankcase, a crankshaft, a cylinder supporting surface on said crankcase, a propeller connected with one end of said crankshaft, a geared ring fixed with respect to said crankshaft-on the side of said propeller adjacent said engine, and a starter adapted to cooperate with said geared ring, said starter being entirely disposed between said cylinder supporting surface and said geared ring, and being secured to said cylinder supporting surface.

21. In an aeronautic engine, in combination, a crankcase, a crankshaft, a cylinder supporting surface on said crankcase, a propeller connected with one end of said crankshaft, a geared ring fixed with respect to said crankshaft on the side of said propeller adjacent said engine, and a starter unit adapted to cooperate with said geared ring, said starter being entirely disposed between said cylinder supporting surface and said geared ring, and being secured to said cylinder supporting surface, said unit including a driving pinion adapted to be displaced into the plane ofsaid geared ring, and in mesh therewith for cranking.

22. In an aeronautic engine, in combination, a crankcase, a crankshaft, an enginecylinder supporting surface on said crankcase, a propeller connected with one end of said crankshaft, a geared ring fixed with respect to said crankshaft on the side of said propeller adjacent said engine and a starter adapted to cooperate with said geared ring, said starter being entirely disposed between said cylinder supporting surface and said geared ring, and having outstanding lugs resting on said cylinder supporting surface and secured thereto.

23. In an aeronautic engine, in combination, a crankcase, a crankshaft, an enginecylinder supporting'surface on said crankcase, a propeller connected with one end of said crankshaft, a geared ring fixed with respect to said crankshaft on the side of said propeller adjacent said engine and a starter adapted to cooperate with said geared ring, said startenbeing entirely disposed between said cylinder supporting surface and said geared ring, and having outstanding lugs resting on said cylinder supporting surface and secured thereto and further means securing said starter to points adjacent said geared ring.

24. In an aeronautic engine, in combina tion, a crankcase. a crankshaft, an engine cylinder supporting surface on said crank case, a propeller connected with one end of said crankshaft, a geared ring fixed with respect to said crankshaft on the side of said propeller adjacent said engine, and a starter adapted to cooperate with said geared ring, said starter being entirely disposed between said cylinder supporting surface and said geared ring, and means constituting a part of said engine, for also securing said starter thereto.

25. In an aeronautic engine, in combination, a. crankcase having a cylinder supporting surface, a crankshaft, a propeller, driven from one portion of the crankshaft, a metallic power transmitting member secured to said propeller, and a starter disposed between said cylinder supporting surface and said power transmitting member, said starter having lugs near one end for securing it to saidqcylinder supporting surface, and legs near the other for securing it to the part of said crankcase adjacent said power transmitting member.

26. In an aeronautical engine, in combination, a propeller, a crankshaft,'a crankcase having an engine cylinder supporting surface, a geared member connected to said crankshaft, adjacent said propeller and near said cylinder supporting surface, and a starter disposed between said propeller,- and said cylinder supporting surface, said starter including a motor whose shaft is substantially parallel to the crankshaft,and means for transmitting power between said motor and said geared member, said means being disposed between said geared member and said crankcase. v

27 In an aeronautic engine, in combination. a crankshaft, a propeller driven therefrom, a geared member, rigidly associated with said crankshaft, and adjacent said propeller, a starter mounted on said crankcase,

between said geared member and the cylinders. of. said engine, said starter including a motor, and a transmission between said motor and said geared member, all of the rotatable parts of said motor and said transmission having axes parallel to the crankshaft. v I

28. In an internal combustion eng1ne,,in

' combination, a crankcase, a geared member on the crankshaft, adjacent one end ofsaid crankcase, and a starter unit secured to said crankcase, the. cylinders of said eng ne being on one side of'said starter, and the geared member on the other, said unit in-c eluding a motor, whose driving end is on the crankshaft, and adjacent one end of said crankcase, a starter unit mounted on said crankcase, and adapted to transmit power to said geared member, said unit including a motor and a transmission for connecting said motor to said geared member, all of the rotatable parts of said transmission having their axes substantially parallel to the crankshaft, said transmission being entirely disposed between the crankcase and the adjacent face of said geared member.

30.In an aeronautic engine, in combination, a crankcase, a geared member con nected to the crankshaft adjacent one end of said crankcase, a starter unit mounted on said crankcase, and entirely disposed on the side of said geared member adjacent said crankcase, said unit comprising a motor and a transmission, said transmission including a pinion normally out of mesh with said geared member, and means disposed on the side of said pinion remote from said geared member, for moving said pinion into mesh with said geared member.

31. In an aeronautic engine, in combination, a crankcase, a geared member connected to the crankshaft adjacent ,one end of said crankcase, a starter unit mounted on said crankcase, and entirely disposed on the side of said geared member adjacent said crankcase, said unit comprising a motor and a transmission, said transmission ineluding a pinion normally within the bounding plane of other elements of said transmission and means disposed on the side of said pinion'remote from said geared memher, for moving said pinion intomesh with said'geared member.

32. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, with a driven member operatively connected with the engine, a driving member adapted to cooperate with and drive the other member but normally out of en- 'gagem'ent therewithj'said driving member normal position, and means for movin said pinion to a position beyond one of sai surfaces to cooperate with said driven member for cranking.

34. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, with a driven member operatively connected With the engine, a unit including a motor and a driving pinion adapted to cooperate with and drive the other member but normally out of engagement therewith, said driving pinion being within the bounding surfaces of the rest of said unit in its normal position, and means for moving said pinion to a position beyond one of said surfaces to cooperate with said driven member for cranking, said means extending substantially in the plane determined by the axis of said motor and the axis of said pinion.

In a starter unit for gas engines and the like, in combination, a driving member adapted to cooperate with and drive an engine member but normally out of engagement therewith, a motor, a transmission member parallel to the axis of said motor, and driven by said motor, said transmission member havlng its ends disposed between the planes of the ends of said motor, and means coacting with said transmission member tocause automatic. engagement of said driving member with said engine member when said motor is started.

36. In a starter unit for gas engines or the like, in combination, a motor having heads, a barrel member, a transmission member therein, said barrel projecting beyond said transmission member at one end, and said transmission member beyond said barrel at the other, bearings for said projecting portions located in the planes of said heads, means driving said barrel from said motor, and means driving said transmission member from said barrel.

37.- In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, with a driven member operatively connected with the engine, a driving member adapted to cooperate with and drive the other member, but normally out of engagement therewith, a motor for operating said driving member, means for transmitting the power of said motor to said driving member, said means including a toothed annulus, having said driving member normally located within its central openinlg.

38. n a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination with a driven gear operatively connected with the engine, a driv ing pinion adapted to cooperate with. and drive the said gear but normally out of engagement therewith, a motor for operating said driving pinion, means for transmitting the torque of said motor to said driving pinion, said means including a motor-pinion, on the shaft of said motor, a gear member driven thereby, said ear member having a central opening, an said driving pinion being normally located within said central opennig.

39. n a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, a driven member operatively connected with said engine, a motor, a transmission between said motor and said driven member, including a driving member adapted to cooperate with and drive the other member, but normally out of engagement therewith, said motor, and said transmission being entirely disposed to one side of said driven member, said transmission also including a gear having a central opening in which said driving member is normally disposed, and means for displacing said latter member into cooperation with said driveIr member.

40. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, a driven gear, operatively connected with/an engine, a motor, a transmission between said motor and said driven gear, said transmission being normally out of engagement with said latter element, but adapted to cooperate with and drive the same, said transmission including an annular gear member adjacent said driven gear, and parallel thereto, a driving gear normally within said annular member and adapted to be driven therefrom, and means outside of the plane of said. annular member for shifting said driving gear into cooperation with said driven gear.

41. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, a driven gear, operat-ively. connected with an engine, a motor, a transmimion between said motor and said driven gear, said transmission being normally out of engagement with said latter element, but adapted to cooperate with and drive the same, said transmission including a motor pinion on the shaft of said motor, a gear driven thereby, said gear having a central opening, a driving pinion normally within said opening, and adapted to be driven from said gear, said transmission elements having their bounding surfaces substantially in a single plane, adjacent and parallel to said "driven gear, and means' for displacing said driving pinion into mesh with said driven gear.

42. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, a driven gear operatively connected with an engine, a unit comprising a motor and a transmission between said motor and said driven gear, said unit being entirely disposed to one side of said driven gear, and having a bounding surface parallel and in close proximity to said driven gear, said transmision including a drivin pinion normally out of engagement with sai driven gear, and means outside of the plane of said driving pinion, for causing the same to inove into cooperation with said driven ll gear to permitsaid motor to crank said engine.

I 43. In an internal combustion engine, in combination, a driven gear operatively connected with the crankshaft, a starter unit secured'to said engine and disposed entirely to one side. of said'gear, and including a motor and a transmission, said motor having its axis parallel to the crankshaft, and beyond the periphery of said driven gear, said transmission including an annular gear member parallel to said driven gear, and a dI'lV- ment therewith, said driving'member being within thebounding surfaces of the rest of said-unit in its normal position, and means operated by said motor for moving'said member to a position beyond one of said surfaces to cooperate with said driven -member for cranking. I

4:5 In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combinatiom with a driven gear, operatively connected with the engine, a unitincluding a motor and a driving pinion adapted to cooperate with and drive said gear, but normally out of engagement therewith, said driving pinion being within the bounding surfaces of the rest-of said unit in its normal position, means operated by. said motor for moving said pinion to a position beyond one of said surfaces to cooperate with. said driven gear for cranking, and operated by said engine when it starts under its own power, for returning said pinion to ites normal position.

46. In a starter-unit for gas engines or the like, in combination, a motor, a front head member, and a back head "member therefor, a barrel member, a transmission member extending axially of said barrel, substantially theentire length of said latter members combined being disposed between said head members, and. means for imparting thereto torque'of said motor.

47. In a starter for gas engines andthe like, in combination, with a driven gear operatively connected with the engine, a driving pinion adapted to cooperate with and drive the other member, but normally out of engagement therewith, a motor, a barrel geared thereto to be driven thereby, and .between the planes of the ends of said motor said pinion being supported by said barrel, and an inclined connection between said barrel and said pinion, whereby the opera .the planes of the ends'thereof, gearing contion of said motor will cause said pinion to move longitudinally into me'sh with said driven gear, and means for thereupon causing said pinion to rotate with said barrel to crank said engine.

48. In a starter unit for gas engines and the like,'in combination, a drivin member adapted to cooperate with and drive an engine member but normally out. of engage ment therewith, a motor, a transmission member, a driving connection between said motor and said transmission member located between the planes of the ends of said motor, and means connecting said transmission member and said driving member, to cause automatic engagement thereof with said enginemember" when said mptor is started.

49. In a starter for gas enginesand the, like, in combination, with a driven gear operatively connected with the engi fe, a driv- 85 ing pinion adapted to cooperate with and drive the other member, but normally out of' engagement therewith, a motor, a barrel parallel to said motor and extending between necting said barrel to be driven by'said motor, a shaft lodged in said barrel, for'"longi tudinal and rotary movement, saidrshaft controlling said pinion, a threaded connec-- tion between said barrel and said shaft, whereby rotation of said barrel by said mo tor will cause said shaft'to move longitudinally to urge saidtpinion into mesh with said driven gear, and means for then causing said pinion to rotate with said barrel;

50.. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, with a driven gear operatively connected with the engine, a driving pinion adapted to cooperate with and drive the other member, but normally out of engagement therewith, a motor, a

'barrel parallel to said motor and extending between the planes of the ends thereof, gearing connecting said barrel to be driven by said motor, a threaded shaft lodged in said' barrel. for longitudinal and rotary movement thereof, said shaft bearing said pinion near one end, said barrel being loosely connected to said threaded shaft, whereby rotation of said barrel'will cause longitudinal movement of said shaft to bring said pinion into mesh with said driven gear, and means for then automatically securing said shaft with respect to said barrel,

51. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, with a'rdriven gear operatively connected with the engi e, a driving pinionadaptedto co-operate with and drive the other member, but normally out of vengagement therewith, a motor, a barrel adapted to be driven thereby, said barrel having a shaftfi lodged therein for longitudinal and rotary movement thereof, said shaft having said pinion formed as an integral part thereof, aL-nut in rotatable I 0 connection with saidbarrel, and loosely threaded on said shaft, a stop on said shaft in the ath of said longitudinally moving part, whereby rotation of said barrel causes said shaft to move through said nut until said pinion meshes with-said driven gear, when said stop will prevent further longitudinal movement and compel rotation of said shaft.

52. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, with a driven gear 'operatively connected with the engine, a driving pinion adapted to cooperate with and drive the other member, but normally out of engagement therewith, a motor, a barrel adapted to be rotated thereby, said barrel having a controlling shaft for said pinion lodged therein, a loose and inclined .connection between said barrel and said shaft, whereby the inertia of said shaft will cause it to move longitudinally-when said barrel rotates, to bring said pinion into mesh with said driven'gear, and means to compel meshing should teeth of said pinion and said gear meet end to end.

58. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, with a driven gear operatively connected with the engine, a driving pinion adapted to cooperate with and drive the other member, but normally out of engagement therewith, a motor, a barrel adapted to be rotated thereby, said barrel having a controlling shaft for said pinion lodged therein for longitudinal and rotary movement thereof, 'a nut within said barrel to be operated thereby, said nut being threaded on said shaft, a relatively strong coil spring within said barrel to prevent translatory movement of said nut under normal operation, whereby, should teeth of said pinion meet teeth of said driven gear, said nut will move along said shaft compressing said spring, until said shaft turns with said-nut to bring said pinion in proper alignment with said driven gear, whereupon said spring will cause said pinion to move into mesh.

54. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, with a driven gear operatively connected with the engine, a driving pinion adapted to cooperate with and drive the other member, but normally out of engagement therewith, a motor, a barrel adapted to be rotated thereby, but limited a inst-relative longitudinal mov ment, sai barrel having a controlling shaft for said pinion lodged therein, a nutthreaded on said shaft, a clutch having one element positively driven by said barrel, and frictionally driving said nut, and a relatlvely heavy coil spring within'said barrel and contacting said first clutch element to render said clutch effective.

55. In an internal combustion engine, in combination, adriven gear operatively connected with the crankshaft, a starter unit secured to said engine, and disposed entirely to onev side of said gear, and including a motor and a transmission, said motor having its axis parallel to the crankshaft, and beyond the periphery of said driven gear, said transmission including an annular gear member parallel to said driven gear, and a driving pinion within said annular member, and having teeth aligned with teeth of said driven gear, and automatic means operated by said motor, and located between said motor and the crankcase for causing movement of said pinion' into mesh with said driven gear.

56. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, an internal combustion engine, a driven gear connected therewith, a starter unit mounted thereon,

said unit including a motor and a transmission, all parts of which unit are disposed to one side of said driven gear, said transmission including gears in a plane parallel and adjacent to said driven gear, one of which gears is adapted to be moved out of said plane into driving relation to said driven gear, and means operated by said porting said motor With respect to said engine.

58. In a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, a motor, end heads for said motor, said end heads having extensions, aligned bearings therein, one in each head, a driving pinion operating shaft lodged in said bearings, and a transmission from said motor to said shaft, supported by said heads.

59. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, an internal combustion engine, a driven gear rigidly connected therewith, a starter unit comprising a motor and a transmission, normally out of engagement with said driven gear, supports for mounting said unit on said engine, said transmission being lodged in said supports, and including means operable by said motor to place said transmission into cooperation with said driven gear.

60, In apparatus of the character described, in combination, an internal combustion engine, a driven gear, rigidly connected therewith, a starter unit, comprising a motor and a transmission normally out of engagement with said driven gear, said nected therewith, a starter unit, comprising like, in combination, a motor, mechanism a motor and a transmission normally out of engagement with said driving gear, said motor vhavin supports integral with its end heads, said transmission including gearing within one of said supports, an element of said gearing having a central opening, a threaded shaft having a driving pinion rigid therewith near one end, said shaft belng carried by both said supports, and said pinion being 'normall lodged within said central opening, an means loosely connecting the transmission Within said first support to said threaded shaft, whereby said motor automatically brings about meshing of said pinion with said driven gear, and then cranks said engine.

62. In a starter for gas enginesand the like, in combination, a motor, mechanism for transmitting the torque thereof to an engine, includinga clutch having a separable friction element, and means responsive to the starting of said motor to tighten said clutch for torque transmission.

63, In a starter for gas engines and the for transmitting the torque thereof to an engine, said mechanism being normally disconnected, and including a clutch having a friction element of cork, and means responsive to the starting of said motor to operatively connect said mechanism and to tighten said clutch for torque transmission,

64. In-a starter for gas engines and the like, in combination, a motor, mechanism for transmitting the torque thereof to an gear and to then engine, said mechanism including a friction clutch comprising, cooperating metal and cork elements, said cork element being removable, and -means responsive to the starting of said motor to tighten said clutch for torque transmission.

65. In a starter unit for gas engines and the like in combination, a driving member adapted to cooperate with and drive an engine member, a motor having end heads, a. motor driven member parallel to the shaft .of said motor, a bearing for said motor driven memlber near one end of said motor,

means for preventing displacement of saidmotor driven member, said motor driven member extending toward the other end of said motor and being disposed between the planes of said end heads.

66. In a starter unit for gas engines and the like, in combination, a driving member adapted to cooperate with and drive an engine member but normally out of engagement therewith, a motor, a member driven by'said motor having its ends disposed between the p-lanes-of the ends of said motor, means limiting said motor drivenmember against longitudinal movement, and means coacting with said motor driven member and said driving 'member to cause automatic engagement thereof with said engine member when said motor is started.

67.- In a starter unit for gas engines and the like, in combination, a driving pinion adapted to cooperate with and drive an engine gear but normally out of engagement therewith, a motor, a member driven by said motor having its ends disposed between the planes of the ends of said motor, means linii ting said motor driven member against longitudinal movement, and an automatic name to this specification this 23rd day of March, 1918.

JOSEPH BIJUR. 

